Samsung's latest flagship smartphones haven't even been out for a week, but you can already score a solid discount on one model. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ with 256GB of storage has dropped by $140 to $860. That makes it the same price as the standard Galaxy S23 with the same storage capacity. It's worth noting that the discount only applies to the Phantom Black colorway.
At 6.6 inches, the S23+ has a larger screen than the 6.1-inch S23. It has a bigger battery too. The specs are otherwise the same, save for ultrawideband support on the S23+. The phone runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy with a 3.36GHz octa-core CPU and Adreno 740 GPU. There's 8GB of RAM, WiFi 6e and Bluetooth 5.3. The S23+ lineup runs on Android 13 too.
The S23+ doesn't boast the same 200MP camera as the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but it's a worthy phone in its own right. It does have 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto cameras. Although it's more of an evolution from the S22 than a revolution, the S23+ is especially worth considering if you've been hanging onto the same phone for a few years or you're looking to make the switch from iOS to Android.
There was speculation that Samsung could use smartphone-to-satellite technology in its Galaxy S23 much like Apple has for the iPhone 14, but that didn't happen in the end. Now, the company has unveiled a new standardized 5G NTN (non-terrestrial network) modem that will enable two-way communication between smartphones and satellites. The technology will allow users to send and receive calls, text messages and data without the need for a cellular network, and will be integrated into Samsung's future Exynos chips.
The aim is to allow people in mountains, deserts or other remote areas to communication with others in critical situations. 5G NTN conforms to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP Release 17) standards, meaning it works with traditional communication services from chip manufacturers, smartphone makers and telecoms.
Samsung
However, Samsung indicated that the tech could eventually be used to transmit high-definition photos and even video, on top of texts and calls. It simulated the tech using its Exynos Modem 5300 platform "to accurately predict satellite locations and minimize frequency offsets caused by Doppler shift," the company said. That will help pave the way for hybrid terrestrial-NTN networks "in preparation for the arrival of 6G," said Samsung VP Min Goo Kim.
At CES 2023, Qualcomm unveiled Snapdragon Satellite, technology that would allow smartphones to send messages when no cellular signal is available. It'll work in smartphones that have both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and X70 modem system, plus some additional radios. Since Samsung's Galaxy S23 has both chips, it was thought the device may offer satellite communication technology to match Apple's iPhone 14.
However, Samsung mobile experience VP TM Roh said it wasn't the best moment, as satellite functionality is still fairly limited. "When there is the right timing, infrastructure and the technology is ready, then of course for Samsung Galaxy, for our mobile division, we would also actively consider adopting this feature as well," he told CNET in an interview.
If you’ve ever been derailed from an on-time departure by a set of lost keys or misplaced wallet, you’ll benefit from a Bluetooth tracker. These small devices attach to your stuff and use your smartphone to keep tabs on where they are. There aren’t a ton of players in the field yet, but we tested out some of the most popular options to see what each tracker does well so you can decide which is the best Bluetooth tracker for you.
What to look for in a Bluetooth tracker
Bluetooth trackers are small discs or cards that rely on short-range, low-energy wireless signals to communicate with your smartphone. Attach one to your stuff and, if it’s in range, your phone can “ring” the tracker so you can find it. These devices offer other features like separation alerts to tell you when you’ve left a tagged item behind, or where a lost item was last detected. Some can even tap into a larger network of smartphones to track down your device when you’re out of range. Depending on what you want the tracker to do, there are a few things to look for when deciding which to get.
Device compatibility
Like most things from the folks in Cupertino, AirTags only work with other Apple products. The company has opened up access to its Find My network to third-party manufacturers, including Chipolo, though. Its One Spot and Card Spot finders work with Apple's large tracking network, but only pair with Apple devices. Chipolo’s classic trackers will work with either Android or Apple devices, as will Tile trackers.
Finding network
Crowd-sourced finding capabilities are what make headlines, with stories about recovering stolen equipment or tracking lost luggage across the globe. Using anonymous signals that ping other people’s devices, Bluetooth trackers can potentially tell you where a tagged item is, even if your smartphone is out of range. Apple’s Find My network is by far the largest, with over a billion iPhones in service all running Apple’s Find My app by default. So unless an iPhone user opts out, their phone silently acts as a location detector for any nearby AirTags.
While Android phones outnumber iPhones globally, they don’t have a similar, unified “find-my”network. (Though, reports that Google may be working on AirTag rival means such a system may be coming.) In the meantime, Tile offers the second-largest finding grid, with every smartphone that runs the Tile app acting as incognito locators. After Life360 acquired Tile, the 47 million users of that app were added to the 50 million existing Tile users, creating a sizable network.
In our tests, AirTags offered nearly real-time location data and were quickest to find items abandoned in spots around Albuquerque, including a bar, bookstore and coffee shop in Nob Hill, along with various outdoor hangouts on UNM’s campus. Tile trackers were able to locate our lost items most of the time, though not with the same pin-point accuracy as AirTags. Chipolo’s Spot trackers operate on the same Find My network and perform on par with the AirTags. Chipolo’s classic trackers, on the other hand, don’t have much of a crowd-sourced network to speak of. Yet as we used the trackers, the size of the finding network started to feel less important in the face of typical, everyday use cases. It was their ability to out-perform in every other way that boosted Chipolo’s classic trackers to the top of our list.
Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Separation alerts
Here’s where a tracker’s day-to-day utility really shines. A separation alert lets you know when you’ve traveled too far from your tagged items, which is useful if you want to make sure your laptop bag, or jacket or umbrella always comes with you when you leave the house.
These notifications work when you’re out and about too. If you’ve got a tracker in your wallet and walk out of a restaurant without it, the separation alert should kick in, resulting in less lost stuff. This feature also tells you where your tagged item and phone were last paired, allowing you to retrace your steps if you happen to miss the alert.
Each tracker handles left-behind items differently. Both AirTags and Chipolo include the feature by default. Tile trackers require a yearly subscription to enable the alerts (currently $30 per year). Both AirTags and Tiles allow you to turn off separation alerts at certain locations, meaning you can set your home as a “safe” place where items can be left behind, but alerts will still trigger elsewhere. Chipolo doesn’t offer safe locations, but you can toggle out-of-range alerts on a per-item basis.
In our tests, the Chipolo sent an alert after we got between 250 and 450 feet away from our tagged item. AirTags alerted us between the 600- and 1,400-foot mark. And Tiles sent a notification after about an average of 1,500 feet. The notifications were not consistent on an iPhone, but worked well when operating with an Android phone.
Connectivity, volume and design
The feature you may use most often is the simple “find my keys” function. If you have your phone, but no idea where your tagged keys are, you can tap a button in the tracker’s app to make the tracker ring. The ability to consistently and quickly connect with your phone is important for making it out the door with less stress. Tile and Chipolo classic trackers will also let you double click the device itself to make your phone ring, but AirTags and Chipolos running on the Find My app don’t offer this feature.
The volume of the tracker may determine whether you can find an item buried in your couch cushions or in a noisy room. AirTags have a reputation for being on the quiet side, and that aligned with what we saw (measuring roughly 65 decibels). Chipolo’s keychain-style tags, both the Apple-only version and the device-agnostic version, and the Tile Slim wallet tracker were the loudest, measuring between 83 and 85 decibels.
Design will determine what you can attach the tracker to. AirTags are small, smooth discs that have no way of securing to anything without accessories, which are numerous, but that is an additional cost to consider. Both Chipolo and Tile offer trackers with holes that easily attach to your key ring, and both companies also offer card-shaped versions designed to fit in your wallet. Batteries are replaceable for AirTags, Chipolo One and Tile Pro. Tile Mate and all card-shaped trackers don’t have replaceable batteries, which means you’ll have to replace the entire unit whenever it dies.
Stalking and stealing
AirTags have recently gotten a lot of attention for bad actors planting them on people in order to stalk them. While this fact may not influence your buying decision, any discussion of Bluetooth trackers should note what steps both Apple and Tile have taken to address the issue. If an AirTag is detected moving with you and apart from its owner, the device will ring to alert you of its presence. If you have an iPhone, as long as you have location services and Bluetooth turned on, you’ll automatically get an alert on your phone, with no further steps required. If you have an Android, you can download a special app that can detect unknown AirTags. Tile offers a similar feature through its standard app, and it doesn’t require a Tile account to search for suspicious nearby trackers.
As far as combating theft goes, a Bluetooth tracker may or may not be a good option. Anecdotal stories abound in which people have recovered stolen goods using a tracker — but other tales are more cautionary. Neither Apple nor Tile promote their trackers or finding networks as a way to deal with theft. GPS trackers, on the other hand, are typically marketed for just that purpose.
How we tested
Before deciding on which trackers to test, we researched the field, looking at user reviews on Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers, along with discussions on sites like Reddit. We also checked out what other publications had to say on the matter before narrowing down our picks to Apple AirTag, Tile and Chipolo trackers.
After acquiring the trackers, I tested each one over the course of a few weeks using both an iPhone 11 and a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. I recreated likely user experiences, such as losing and leaving items behind at home and out in the city. I planted trackers at different spots near downtown Albuquerque, mostly concentrated in and around the University of New Mexico and the surrounding neighborhood of Nob Hill. Each test was performed multiple times, both while walking and driving and I used the measure distance feature on Google Maps to track footage for alerts. I paid attention to how easy the app was to use, how reliable the phone-to-tracker connection was and any other perks and drawbacks that came up during regular use.
Best Overall: Chipolo One
Hands-on testing is great at smashing assumptions, and that’s what happened with the Chipolo One. This tracker’s crowd-sourced finding network cannot compare with AirTag or Tile. In fact, when I left the Chipolo for 24 hours just outside the busy student union at UNM, I was never alerted that a member of the Chipolo community had detected my item. But as I used it and pictured how most people would use a tracker on a daily basis, the device proved its worth and earned its spot on my keyring.
The One is a small and colorful plastic disc with a hole. It works with both Apple and Android devices and requires an app which is simple to use and easily pairs new trackers. The app and tracking experience on an iPhone and a Galaxy phone were nearly identical, working equally well on both platforms. It rang the loudest of all the trackers, so hidden items were quickly found around the house. Unlike other trackers, there was never a delay between pressing the Ring to Find button and hearing the trill. The ring delay for AirTag was never more than a few seconds and Tiles would generally connect and ring after no more than ten seconds. While that’s not a deal-breaking delay, it could add to the stress of rushing out the door.
Where the Chipolo One truly set itself apart was with its separation alerts. I would only get a half to two blocks away (or an average of 350 feet) before getting an alert asking if I’d forgotten an item. Neither AirTag nor Tile ever beat Chipolo to the punch. The alerts were consistent whether I was forgetting an item at home, at a coffee shop, or inside my car.
As far as losing stuff out in the wild, it will get you back to the spot where your phone and tracker were last paired. That means if you miss an alert or don’t have them turned on, Chipolo will give you directions (via your maps app) and take you right to where you left your item. In one test, I had a friend hide the tracker nearby when I wasn't looking. I left the area and returned hours later, using the last location information to lead me within a few feet of the tracker. Ringing the tracker then made it easy to find. Of course, if someone walks off with your tracked item, the Chipolo will be harder pressed to help you out.
If you’re concerned about lost luggage when you travel or if you worry you may lose things on trains or buses, this isn’t the tracker for you because of its much smaller finding network. But if you’re looking for a dead simple way to find your keys and make sure your jacket leaves the bar when you do, the Chipolo One is hard to beat.
Best for iPhones: AirTag
AirTags work with the Find My app, so they don’t require any additional downloads. If you’ve used the Find My app before, you’ll likely understand how this works. These are the quietest of the trackers we tested and each time you press the Play Sound button, the tags only ring for seven seconds. You’ll need to keep pressing if you don’t find your item right away and AirTags can’t be used to ring your phone.
As for separation alerts, AirTags were consistent, always delivering a “left behind” alert when I traveled about 1,200 feet away, or about three square blocks, without an item. You can turn off separation alerts for any given tracker, as well as designate certain locations, such as your home or workplace, as exceptions for the notifications.
One feature that AirTags have that no other tag offers is the ability to tap into the ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless protocol. This allows you to play a fun game of hot and cold with an item when it’s within about 25 feet of your iPhone. Directional arrows and a diminishing distance meter on your iPhone’s screen point you to an item without having to ring it. This worked reliably about 75 percent of the time in my tests; sometimes it was just easier to ring the item when the directional finding couldn’t keep a lock on the tracker. UWB is supported by iPhone models 11 and later and while newer Galaxy and Pixel phones also support UWB, no Android-compatible tracker has been released, though, Tile has announced one that will.
AirTag’s ability to locate a lost item out in the city is almost eerie. I had someone (who was not carrying an iPhone) take my bike with a tracker hidden under the seat to a location a little over a half mile away. I set out a few minutes later and toggled on Notify When Found in the Find My app. Within three minutes, I received a notification that the bike had been “seen” near an address. Tapping on Directions navigates to Apple Maps, which took me to a spot about 30 feet from the bike. Had it been obscured from view, I could have then used the Find Nearby button to activate the UWB locating features. Ringing the tag was too quiet to hear on the sidewalk.
If you want the same scary-precise community finding features, but with a louder ring and a hole in the tracker, the Chipolo One Spot is a solid option. It doesn’t offer UWB capabilities, however, and the separation alerts are the same as with AirTags (letting you get 1,200 feet away before a ping, versus an average of 350 feet with our top rec, Chipolo One classic).
Best for Android: Tile Pro
Tile will work with either Android or Apple devices, but the experience is much better on Android. Certain connectivity issues and a lack of alerts that plagued the iPhone experience did not show up in tests with the Galaxy phone. One caveat to note is that Tile requires a subscription to enable separation alerts. Tile Premium goes for $3 per month or $30 per year and includes location history and item reimbursement of up to $100 on items that you register with the company, they’ll also send out a fresh battery once a year. Tile stands out as the only tracker company offering reimbursement — even without a subscription, they’ll pay out up to $25 for items that you register with them.
The Tile Pro is a key-fob shaped device with a metal keychain hole that feels sturdy. The Pro’s ring was just a few decibels quieter than the Tile Mate (78 versus 82 decibels), but the connectivity range was better with the Pro, and it was more accurate in finder network tests. On top of that, this is the only current Tile device with a replaceable battery, which lasts about one year.
For the lost-item tests, I had a friend take the Pro to random locations. After turning on the Notify When Found feature, an alert would arrive between five and ten minutes later saying my lost item was “found by the community.” The map details were typically accurate within about 100 feet or so, though it occasionally thought the Tile was at a business next door to where it actually was. Without the UWB feature, precision finding of an item was trickier. In one test, the tracker ended up in a noisy pub. While the directions pointed me to the right location, it would have been difficult to find the item if I hadn’t spotted my friend, as the ring function was useless among the din.
Best wallet tracker: Tile Slim
The Tile Slim is louder than both the Pro and the Mate, and nearly equals the loudest tracker we tested, the Chipolo One. It works with both Android and Apple devices and its thick credit card shape fits in the slots of a typical wallet (though it often won’t connect when inside an RFID-blocking wallet). The separation alerts you’ll get if you pay for a Tile subscription activate at about the same distance as the Tile Pro, letting you get around 1,500 feet away before pinging you about a left-behind item. When using an iPhone with Tile trackers, separation alerts rarely came and connectivity between the phone and tracker was spotty at best, even in close proximity. If you use an iPhone, the Chipolo Card Spot is equally loud, runs on Apple’s vast Find My network and consistently gives you a left-behind alert at around 1,200 feet.
As tablets get more powerful, some are becoming suitable replacements for laptops. That's particularly the case with the higher capacity models of Apple's iPad Pros. Right now the larger, 12.9-inch models with either 1TB or 2TB of storage are $200 off at Amazon. The deal covers both the Wi-Fi only models and configurations with cellular connectivity. The sale brings the 1TB, Wi-Fi model down to $1,599 instead of $1,799 and makes the 2TB Wi-Fi plus cellular model $2,199 instead of $2,399. A $200 discount still doesn't make these cheap devices by any stretch, but if you've been thinking about upgrading your laptop, and also want the portability of a tablet, this could be a good time to buy.
We gave the iPad Pro a review score of 87 when it debuted late last year. The latest generation of the iPad Pro didn't see a total rebuild like the standard iPad did, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Pro already benefited from having an amazing screen and superior build, but this time around, Apple increased processing power with the addition of their M2 chip. The latest operating system, iPadOS 16, added Stage Manager, an innovative multitasking system that lets you easily use multiple windows while working with your iPad.
Combine the software tweak with a faster chip, and you've got a slab that aspires to do laptop duty — especially after adding in accessories like the Magic Keyboard and the latest generation Apple Pencil. On the screen front, the 12.9-inch Pro features a Liquid Retina XDR panel with mini-LED backlighting for great range and contrast. The Pro also houses a solid, all-day battery and robust speakers. Around back, there's one 12-megapixel wide and one10MP ultra wide camera, plus a flash and LIDAR scanner. The ultra wide 12MP front-facing camera is still oriented to the portrait side, making you a little off-center on video calls if you're docked into a keyboard. It's also not a light tablet, weighing in at a pound and a half, but perhaps that's to be expected from such a powerful machine.
President's Day might not be the hugest event for tech deals — the holiday typically brings out deals on large home appliances and the like. But it's still possible to save some money on devices you may have had your eye on. Right now we're seeing a $50 discount on the Apple Watch Ultra. Other Apple products, including the iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and the Apple Watch SE are also seeing some nice sales. Samsung products, like the Galaxy Buds 2, the M8 hybrid TV/monitor and the T7 Sheild portable SSD are between 18 and 44 percent off. And it's a good week to grab one of our favorite midrange smartphone, the Pixel 6a for just $300. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple's latest, biggest and consequently most expensive watch is now a little cheaper thanks to a $50 discount at Amazon. That brings the wearable down to $749 instead of its usual $799. It dipped $10 lower during Black Friday sales, but this is the cheapest it's been outside of the holidays.
The Apple Watch Ultra earned a review score of 85 from us when we tested it out upon its debut. We liked the extra long battery life —with a charge lasting three days even while tracking daily workouts — and the bright display. The extensive tracking and GPS functions are impressive, but might be better suited to frequent hikers, runners and outdoor adventurers. The Ultra may be overkill for anyone just looking for a competent smartwatch. For that, you can go for the Series 8, which Target has for $70 off. It's Apple's second-newest smartwatch and may be the better bet. For an even cheaper Apple wearable, Target is also discounting the Apple Watch SE, which we gave a high score of 89 in our review.
Apple 2022 iPad Air
Right now at Amazon, the latest generation iPad Air is down to $500 for the 64GB model, which matches the lowest price we've seen for the tablet. Note that Amazon's $100 discount only applies to the Space Gray color. You can snag that same $100 discount on all colorways right now at Target, and the sale applies to both the 64GB size and the larger 256GB model.
We think 2022's iPad Air M1 is the best iPad for most people. We called it "almost future-proof" in our review, thanks to the super fast M1 chip, combined with a quality build and strong battery life. It's got an excellent display and supports the latest peripherals, including the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple Pencil. That useful-but-pricey accessory is 31 percent off right now, bringing it down to just $89.
If you're looking for something a little cheaper, the 2022 10th generation 10.9-inch iPad is seeing a $50 discount at Target, on both the 64GB and 265GB models, bringing those dow to $400 and $550, respectively. The discount is part of a larger 4-day sale at Target, which also includes deals on wearables like the Apple Watch SE and the Fitbit Charge 5.
Blink Outdoor security camera
Blink security devices went on sale this week, with discounts between 20 and 40 percent off. Amazon bought Blink back in 2017 and has continued to expand the lineup of security cameras, positioning them as a less expensive alternative to the online giant's other security acquisition, Ring. But less expensive doesn't mean less capable.
Blink Outdoor cameras are our top picks for wireless security cameras and right now, they're 30 percent off, or $70, for a single unit, and 44 percent off a four-pack. The weather-resistant cams will run up to two years on a set of AA batteries and require no professional installation. They have built-in mics and speakers that allow you to see, hear and speak to whomever wanders in front of the camera, and you can set zones so you're only alerted when motion is detected in more critical areas.
If you want to keep tabs on who's at the front door, the Blink Video Doorbell is also getting a 30 percent discount, bringing it down to $60. The unit ships with Blink's Sync Module 2, which lets you locally store video clips, no subscription required — though you'll need to provide a flash drive to save the files indefinitely. The doorbell works either wired or on batteries and can send you real-time 1080p video during the day and infrared night vision after dark.
Keep in mind that Blink devices are only compatible with Alexa and Echo hubs. If you've set up your smart home to work with the Google Assistant or Apple Homekit, Blink devices won't natively integrate with them. For that, you might look to a brand like Arlo. Their cameras and doorbells will pair up with Google, Apple and Amazon home ecosystems. This week, you can snag their Wireless Video Doorbell and other security products for up to 50 percent off.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 are on sale at Amazon for just $89. That's a 40 percent discount and matches the lowest we've seen on the buds yet. The discount applies for the all four colorways, including green, white, purple and black. We gave the buds a solid score of 84 when we reviewed them, saying they were premium-level buds at an affordable price — and now that's even more true.
While they offer active noise cancellation, it doesn't match the world-silencing ANC of top-tier (and more expensive) buds, but they do an okay job of muffling distractions. The sound quality is improved over the previous generation, offering ample base and balanced levels, especially with the EQ presets. The buds are also smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors. The Galaxy Buds 2 only sport a IPX2 rating, which is fine for going out in a drizzle, but might not stand up to sweaty workouts.
The buds work great with a Samsung phone and integrate nicely with Samsung's Galaxy Watches. If you use an iPhone, they'll pair up, but you'll miss out on a lot of control. Those who've adopted Apple's ecosystem are probably better off going with Apple's AirPods. The second gen AirPod Pros are also on sale this week, for a tidy 20 percent off.
Samsung T7 Shield SSD
If you're reaching capacity on your computer or need to transfer and store files, check out Samsung's storage device sale. Many of their SSDs and microSD cards are dipping down near their all time lows, including the portable SSD T7 Shield. The 2TB size is down to $150 and the 1TB size is now $90, or 44 percent off it's usual price at Amazon. The T7 is our pick for the best portable drive in our SSD storage guide thanks to its fast read/write speeds and tough exterior.
MicroSD cards can give you more space on your phone or tablet. Samsung's 128GB Evo Select is 33 percent off, bringing it down to just $14, which is close to an all time low. The larger 256GB size is perfect for adding storage to your Switch or GoPro and it's seeing the steepest discount with 43 percent off. If you'd rather pick up your new storage devices from Best Buy or direct from Samsung, the discounts apply at those outlets too.
Samsung's Smart Monitor M8
The line between TVs and monitors can sometimes get pretty thin, with the latter getting bigger and the former getting thinner. Samsung's Smart Monitor M8 erases the line completely. Ably performing the functions of a TV, monitor and smart home hub, it usually sells for a round $600, but Amazon has it for $350, which is a new all-time low. Note that the $350 price tag only applies to the white version, and only on the configuration that includes the VESA adaptor along with the stand.
It has a bright display that delivers deep blacks, but only offers a 60Hz refresh rate, which isn't ideal for gaming. It has two USB-C ports and one micro-HDMI port — not a ton of inputs but it does help the screen keep its sleek design. It also includes a detachable webcam that can mount up top.
Unlike a standard monitor, the M8 comes with Samsung's Tizen OS built in, as on a Samsung smart TV. That means you can easily run streaming apps without being connected to a computer. Also like a TV, it comes with a remote. As a home hub, Samsung's SmartThings capabilities are built in, so you can keep tabs on and control your compatible smart speakers, cameras and other smart home devices.
Google Pixel 6a
True, it's an older phone, but Google's Pixel 6a still ranks as our favorite mid-range Android smartphone and right now it's cheaper than it's ever been. Amazon is selling the unlocked phone for $299, or $150 off the list price. Best buy has the mobile for $50 cheaper, but only if you activate with a carrier upon checkout. If you're not ready to activate yet, the price is also $299 directly from Google.
Samsung's new S23 series of flagship phones that were announced at its Unpacked event earlier in February have already been released, but the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is still available for pre-order. If you order through Samsung, you'll get an upgrade to 1TB of storage for the price of the 512GB model. That's a $200 savings if you were planing on going for the bigger capacity unit. Plus Samsung is throwing in a $50 store credit.
We spent a little time with the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra after the event, and thought it was a beast of a machine. This configuration runs on Intel’s Core i7 processors, using NVIDIA’s RTX 4050 graphics cards. It's got 16GB of RAM, plus the aforementioned terabyte of storage. Overall, it's thin and light, weighing just shy of four pounds and measuring 0.64 inches thick.
Ports include HDMI, a microSD slot, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, one USB-A and a 3.5mm audio jack. The keyboard is roomy and the trackpad is huge. It also packs a 1080p webcam and an updated quad speaker system. While we haven't had the chance to fully test and review the Book 3 Ultra, if you can't wait for the full verdict and want it soon after it releases on February 22nd, you can snag a free storage upgrade with a pre-order.
OnePlus 11
When we reviewed OnePlus's latest phone, we liked the fact that you got a good amount of phone for a competitive price. And now the company is offering a free storage upgrade on the OnePlus 11 for the next few days. That gives you 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $699, which is the price of the smaller, 8GB/128GB model.
The standout feature of the OnePlus 11 is the incredibly fast charging. When juicing up using the included cable and adapter, 100W charging gets the phone from empty to full in about 25 minutes. That said, there's no wireless charging. But with a battery that lasted 20 hours in our rundown test and only needs 10 minutes on the cable to get to 50 percent, it's easy to overlook the absence.
The Android phone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and comes with a great, 6.7-inch 2,048 × 1,080 OLED screen that can reach up to 120Hz refresh rates. The camera array includes a primary 50-megapixel sensor, a 115-degree ultrawide 48MP camera and a 32MP telephoto camera.
Sony A90J BRAVIA XR OLED 4K TV (55-inch)
Image quality has always sets Sony TVs apart in the past and, while other companies are closing the gap, higher end Sony's will never disappoint. This week, we're seeing a big 44 percent discount on Sony's Bravia A90JvOLED 4K TV, bringing the $2,500 set down to $1,398. The set takes advantage of the company's new Cognitive Processor XR chip, an advancement that uses AI to create a more realistic and dynamic picture. You also get Google TV built in and Alexa integration for voice control. That said, LG's C2 TV is a comparable set and is $100 cheaper, even when it's not on sale.
If you're willing to spend a little more, our dive into the reviews suggest that Samsung's S95B OLED 4K TV is a better bet and it's seeing a 23 percent discount right now, bringing it down to $1,698. That's not an all-time low, but puts it just $300 over the Sony, which may make it worth the investment.
T-Mobile has quite the offer for subscribers who are also soccer fans. The carrier will offer its customers a year of Major League Soccer Season Pass to watch in the Apple TV app. Usually $99 annually, the service broadcasts “every live regular-season match, all MLS Cup playoff matches and the Leagues Cup.” Additionally, there are no blackouts — a concept that fans of the three most popular American sports leagues may have trouble processing.
The offer will be available in the T-Mobile Tuesdays app starting February 21. Once the deal is live, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile subscribers can download the app and sign in with their phone numbers to claim the offer.
T-Mobile has offered some enticing deals through the years in its Tuesdays app, but this one stands out from much of the typical fare (like a free Frosty from Wendy’s). In addition, it’s an opportunity for MLS and Apple TV+ to expand their reach while giving T-Mobile a carrot to lure subscribers from competing cellular providers.
The Apple TV app isn’t limited to Apple devices; you can also install it on Roku, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Chromecast, Amazon Fire devices, Android TV, cable streaming boxes (including Comcast, Cox and Verizon) and smart TVs from Samsung, Vizio, Sony, LG and Panasonic. You can also tune in using a browser at the Apple TV+ website.
YouTube Kids is finally available on more than a handful of devices in your living room, if not quite in the way you'd expect. As 9to5Googlereports, Google is rolling out the YouTube Kids experience on game consoles, Roku devices and more smart TVs through an update to the main YouTube app. If you switch to a YouTube Kids profile, you'll get the child-friendly experience without having to jump to a different app. This also makes it easier to return to the full app once your kid has finished watching.
You'll see the new approach sometime in the "next few weeks," Google says. You can delete kids' profiles through families.youtube.com when they're ready for grown-up access, although the company warns this will scrub profiles on all platforms.
The dedicated YouTube Kids app is available for Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV devices as well as LG and Samsung smart TVs. This move makes the walled-off experience available to considerably more people — important if you're concerned your young one might view mature content or thinly-veiled sales pitches. You'll still want to keep an eye on your child's viewing habits, but you might not have to steer them toward a computer or tablet.
It's safe to say 5G hasn't lived up to the hype — while it's much easier to find than it once was, the sometimes lackluster performance and reliability won't have you scrambling to upgrade from LTE. Qualcomm may be nudging the technology forward, at least. The company has introduced the Snapdragon X75, billed as the first phone modem ready for 5G Advanced. The new cellular standard promises much-improved throughput, coverage, reliability and traffic juggling. You may see meaningful speed boosts, fewer dropoffs and better performance on busy networks.
Whether or not you need 5G Advanced, the Snapdragon X75 offers some improvements versus earlier chips. Qualcomm claims longer battery life and more consistent performance in tricky locations like elevators and subway trains. The modem can handle 5G/4G dual data on two SIM cards at once. There are also boosts to uploads, including support for Snapdragon Satellite.
Qualcomm is already offering samples of Snapdragon X75 chips to manufacturers, although the first products using the modem aren't expected to arrive until the second half of the year. It's likely to become ubiquitous when it does arrive, though. The company's modems are the de facto choice for Snapdragon-powered Android phones, and are (currently) used in iPhones.
The larger question may be when you'll see the benefits. The 5G Advanced standard isn't due to release until 2024, and it may be a while after that before your carrier adopts the technology. Still, the Snapdragon X75 lays the groundwork for adoption. You might already have an Advanced-compatible phone by the time you can take advantage of the service.
Samsung, in a few short years, became the foldable phone company. For now. Rivals have either been unable to launch their own smartphone origami projects or simply failed to match against the Z Fold (the horizontal folding one) or the Z Flip (vertical folding ‘flip-phone’.)
Oppo has been taking notes, however. It revealed last year that its second generation of foldable phones would compete with the same form factors as Samsung. Now, while the west won’t be getting the bigger Find N2 Fold, in the UK and Europe, we will get the Oppo Find N2 Flip. I prefer the flip-phone iteration of foldables, so I’m glad this is the one heading out of China.
In many ways, the Find N2 Flip attempts to address some of the shortcomings of existing foldables. (And I’ll say it now: I loved the Galaxy Z Flip 4), but there’s always room for improvement. Oppo’s focus appears to be the external display, which at 3.26 inches, is currently the largest cover screen on a flip smartphone. While this more accurately replicates the orientation of a smartphone screen, don’t expect icons or an Android-style interface like the one found on Samsung's Galaxy Z fold.
Mat Smith/Engadget
You will get a more functional area for previewing shots with the primary cameras, however. The 17:9 ratio makes more sense for framing your photos than on the Galaxy Z Flip, with its horizontal screen. You might think that Samsung’s implementation is better for notifications, but with a bigger outright screen, the Find N2 Flip can display up to six lines of text in your alerts – plenty for text messages and even email previews. There’s more space to peruse notifications, calendar entries and more, too – it can be a finickity task on the Z Flip 4. Oppo offers a handful of pre-programmed replies too, so you can subtly (or lazily) send a response without even opening the Find N2 Flip.
You can quick-launch the camera by double-pressing the volume down button – you just need to make sure the phone is in standby, otherwise, it will just lower the volume. The cover screen also features a cute animated animal mascot – you can pick between a dog, cat, an unidentifiable bird, hamster or rabbit – and they’ll come alive when you activate the front display. It's a cute addition — it'd be nice if there was some Tamagotchi-style features, though, perhaps tagged to your step-count or even the device's battery life.
One of the quirks of a flip smartphone is the fact that the primary cameras are also your selfie cameras. Like the bigger, China-only, Find N2 Fold, the array on the Flip consists of a 50-megapixel f/1.8 main camera, with an 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide camera. That’s a higher-res main sensor compared to the Z Flip 4. However, while testing it out for the week, the most noticeable difference has been a 2X zoom toggle, which is admittedly a digital crop – but still, it's a benefit of having such a high-megapixel sensor to begin with.
Another benefit of the more expansive front screen is that you can turn on the preview mode even while someone is taking photos for you, making it easier to ensure that a stranger has managed to fit everyone into your group pic – or ensure they aren’t capturing video instead of a still image. (That has happened to me.) Oppo’s Hasselblad partnership informs its color calibration choices on the cameras again. If you like peppy color filters (I do), you’ll get a handful of these straight from the camera app.
Unfolded, there’s also a 32-megapixel f/2.4 front-facing camera if you’re feeling a little old-fashioned. Like Samsung’s foldables, some apps will adjust to fit if you position the phone with the screen raised at an angle. These include the camera app as well as video call apps and YouTube. The hinge itself isn’t quite as stiff as the Z Flip, so it’s more liable to collapse to flat, but once you figure out the right angle, you’ll be fine. Oppo says the hinge’s range of motion is between 45 and 110 degrees.
The company is also proud of its subtler crease, and that’s down to a more refined hinge. It claims that its second-generation flip phone has a crease that’s 63 percent less visible – which is… specific. It’s easy to scoff because, well, it’s still there, but it’s definitely smoother compared to the flip phones that came before it. Oppo’s new Flexion hinge is also smaller, and its waterdrop design leaves less space between the sides when it’s closed. This is especially notable compared to the Z Flip 4.
Mat Smith/Engadget
Another area where Oppo has made a wise upgrade is when it comes to battery capacity. The Find N2 Flip has a 4,300mAh cell – the biggest we’ve seen so far in this form factor, and closer to the Z Fold 4 than the Z Flip 4 – along with 44W fast charging support. That’s decent, again, for this form factor, but Oppo’s sibling/cousin/frenemy, OnePlus, is already showing off more typical smartphones with support for 100W. Still, it should fully charge in less than an hour, the company claims. (I'll be updating this story after further battery testing). However, just like OnePlus’ latest phone, there’s no wireless charging.
The device will launch in Astral Black and Moonlit Purple and in the UK, it will be priced at £895 (roughly $1,083), which would put it around the same price as the Galaxy Z Flip 4. For now, there are no plans to bring either Find N2 devices to the US.
We've been keeping tabs on the best TV deals ahead of this weekend's Super Bowl, but there are plenty of noteworthy tech deals going on for those who aren't looking to overhaul their living room. Apple's AirPods Pro, for instance, are back down to an all-time low of $199, while Amazon is running a sweeping sale on its Kindle e-readers. Sonos is still taking up to $100 off a handful of its soundbars and smart speakers, and both Google and Amazon have discounted their best 4K streaming dongles. Gear we like from Anker, Beats, Microsoft and SanDisk is also on sale. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple's AirPods Pro are back down to $199 at Amazon and Walmart, which matches the lowest price we've tracked and comes in about $30 below the noise-canceling earphones' average street price in recent months. We gave the latest AirPods Pro a review score of 88 last September, and we currently recommend them as the "best for iOS" pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds. Their call quality and six-hour battery life are just OK, but their sound quality, ANC and transparency mode all impress, and they continue to sport a host of features that make them easy to use with other Apple devices.
Beats Fit Pro
A sportier alternative to the AirPods Pro, the Beats Fit Pro are currently on sale for $150 at Amazon and Walmart. Outside of a brief drop to $145 at Woot last November, this matches the lowest price we've seen. For reference, the earphones have usually retailed closer to $175 over the last few months. The Fit Pro are the "best for workouts" pick in our best wireless earbuds guide, and we gave them a review score of 87 back in late 2021. They pack many of the features you'd get with a set of AirPods, including fast pairing, hands-free Siri and Find My device tracking, but their wing-tipped design should provide a more stable fit while you're on the move. Their rich sound should please those who like a little more bass, too, and they play nicer with Android devices. The ANC is a step behind what you'd get with the AirPods Pro, however, and the built-in controls are more prone to accidental presses.
Sonos speaker sale
Sonos has discounted a handful of its home audio devices ahead of this weekend's Super Bowl. The deals include the Sonos One smart speaker for $179, the compact Beam soundbar for $399, the Sub subwoofer for $649, and the top-end Arc soundbar for $799. Depending on the product, that's anywhere from $40 to $100 off. While these are not the lowest prices we've seen, we don't see discounts on Sonos gear often, so this is still a good opportunity to save if you've been looking to build out a whole-home audio system using the company's gear.
We previously gave the One, Beam, and Arc review scores of 90, 88, and 85, respectively. There are plenty other smart speakers and soundbars that don't lock you into one ecosystem, but each of the Sonos devices here deliver an impressively clean and balanced sound, and if you are willing to buy in, they all work (relatively) harmoniously with one another. Do note, though, that Sonos may roll out new smart speakers in the coming months, according to a recent report from The Verge. If you don't need a new Sonos One right away, it may be worth waiting.
Google Chromecast with Google TV
Google's Chromecast with Google TV is back on sale for $40. This isn't an all-time low, and we've seen this deal several times since the 4K media player launched in late 2020. Still, at $10 off, it remains a good value for anyone in need of an affordable way to get all their streaming apps in one place.
The 4K Chromecast is the runner up pick in our guide to the best streaming devices, and our review gave it a score of 86 at launch. We generally think Roku's Streaming Stick 4K — which is also available for $40, though it's regularly at that price — is simpler for most people to navigate, but Google's stick is a strong alternative if you'd prefer a more personalized interface that proactively recommends shows you might like, as well as more robust voice search. The device supports all the major apps and HDR formats, too, plus Dolby Atmos. It doesn't work with Apple AirPlay, however, unlike Roku's streamers.
If you're buying for an older 1080p TV, note that the non-4K version of the Chromecast is also on sale for $20, which only $2 more than that device's all-time low.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max, meanwhile, might be a better choice if you're already committed to Alexa, Prime Video or other Amazon services. It's down to $35 this week, which is another discount we've seen in the past, but here matches the lowest price we've tracked. This is the fastest streaming stick Amazon makes, and it supports all the same apps and HDR formats as the Google and Roku models noted above. Its voice search is more comprehensive than Roku's as well. The big downside is that Amazon's UI goes heavier on the ads and tends to prioritize the company's own content and services. But if you can live with that — or if you want a streamer that lets you sideload apps — you can save a few bucks here. For 1080p TVs, the Fire TV Stick Lite is slower but more affordable at $20.
Anker 622 Magnetic Battery
We've previously highlighted the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery as a strong option for those who want a MagSafe-compatible wireless battery pack for iPhones. Currently, the device is on sale for $45, which is about $10 off its usual street price and only $5 more than its all-time low. To be clear, no wireless charger like this can offer the speeds or capacity of a traditional power bank, but the 622 can still fill an iPhone 14 to about 80 percent on a charge. It snaps easily onto the back of any MagSafe-compatible iPhone, so you can still use it while you're out and about, and it has a handy kickstand built right into its back. If you don't mind trading some thinness for a little extra juice, Anker's 633 Magnetic Battery is a fine alternative with twice the capacity (10,000mAh), though it's pricier at $80.
Amazon Kindle sale
Amazon has discounted a number of its Kindle e-readers this week. The entry-level Kindle, for one, is down to a new low of $75, which is a $25 discount. The upgraded Kindle Paperwhite is down to $105, which is $10 more than its all-time low but still roughly $25 off the device's usual street price. The Kids versions of these e-readers are also on sale, bringing the Kindle Kids to $85 and the Kindle Paperwhite Kids to $110. The former matches an all-time low, while the latter is only $5 more than its best price.
Amazon refreshed the base Kindle last year, bringing it closer to parity with the Paperwhite by bumping its 6-inch display's pixel density to the same 300ppi and adding a USB-C port. Its also starts with twice as much storage at 16GB. If you want the most affordable Kindle possible, it should be a good buy. That said, the Paperwhite remains the better device, as it has a larger 6.8-inch display that's easier on the eyes out of the box, a waterproof design, and a more adjustable front light. We gave the Paperwhite's "Signature Edition" a review score of 97 in late 2021 — that one is on sale for $140, though its upgrades, while nice, probably aren't worth the extra cost for most people.
In any event, getting a Kids variant may result in the most value. While these models are marketed toward younger readers, they offer the same hardware as the standard models, only with an included cover, a longer warranty (two years instead of one) and no lock screen ads by default. They also come with a year of Amazon's Kids+ content service, if you're buying for an actual child.
Apple iPad deals
A handful of iPads are either at or near their all-time lows this week, including the iPad Air for $500, the 10th-gen iPad for $400 and the 10.2-inch iPad for $250. For the 10th-gen and 10.2-inch iPads, those prices match the lowest we've seen. The iPad Air is $20 higher than its best-ever price, but it's still roughly $40 below its typical street price and $100 off Apple's MSRP.
You can check out our iPad buying guide for a full breakdown, but we think the iPad Air remains the best mix of price and performance for most, as it offers an elegant and comfortable design with a powerful M1 chip and full support for Apple's best accessories. The 10th-gen iPad is a decent middle ground, but its display is a little more compromised by comparison, and it doesn't work with the latest Apple Pencil. The 10.2-inch iPad has a smaller display and a distinctly more dated build than those two, but at this price it's still an excellent value for media consumption. If you want a compact iPad, meanwhile, the iPad mini is also on sale for $400, though we've seen it hover around that price fairly often.
Apple Pencil (2nd gen)
The latest Apple Pencil is back down to $90, which is within a dollar of the lowest price we've tracked and $39 below Apple's MSRP. That's not cheap, but for digital artists and heavy note-takers, we still think the second-gen Pencil is the best iPad stylus you can buy. It still offers system-wide pressure sensitivity across iPadOS, and unlike the original model, it can attach and charge against the edge of your tablet magnetically. If you're interested, just make sure your iPad is compatible first.
Apple Watch SE
The 40mm Apple Watch SE is down to $220 at Target and Best Buy. We've seen it drop as low as $210 before, but this discount is still about $25 less than the device's usual street price as of late. We gave the Watch SE a review score of 89 last September and consider it the best value for most first-time smartwatch buyers, as it offers most of the core features of Apple's more expensive smartwatches at a lower price.
If you can afford a step up, the flagship Apple Watch Series 8 adds a larger, always-on display, a blood oxygen sensor, an ECG monitor and a temperature sensor. That one is down to a new low of $329.
Amazon Fire HD 8
Amazon's Fire HD 8 is a worth considering if all you want is a competent tablet for casual streaming and web browsing for as little money as possible. It's neither as fast nor as sharp as the bigger Fire HD 10 — and no Fire tablet comes close to the quality of an iPad — but it's light, it lasts more than 10 hours on a charge, and it works if you stick to the basics. This week, the latest iteration of Amazon's 8-inch tablet is back on sale for $60, which is only $5 more than the all-time low we saw around Black Friday. Just remember that, like all Fire tablets, you'll see ads on the lock screen unless you pay extra, and you won't get (official) access to the Google Play Store and Google apps.
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
The 1TB version of SanDisk's Extreme Portable SSD is on sale for $93, which is only about $10 off its typical going rate but still comes within a few dollars of the lowest price we've tracked. If you often need to move files between devices, this is a worthwhile choice: Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 port is fast to transfer, it comes with a five-year warranty, and its rugged design has an IP55 water-resistance rating. Like all SSDs, it has no moving parts inside, so it should last much longer than a traditional hard disk drive. Competing drives like the Samsung T7 and WD My Passport SSD perform about as well, so the best choice is usually whichever one is cheapest at the time. As of this writing, that's the SanDisk, but note that this deal is only scheduled to run through Friday, according to Best Buy's product listing.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
A configuration of Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 2 with a Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD is back down to $600, matching the lowest price we've seen. This is roughly $175 below the config's usual street price and $200 off Microsoft's MSRP. We gave the 12.4-inch notebook a review score of 86 last June, and we note it in our guide to the best cheap Windows laptops. You can get a sharper display and more performance for the money, and the lack of keyboard backlighting is annoying. But the Surface Laptop Go 2's lightweight build has an unusually premium feel for a laptop in this price range, and the whole thing is still fast and long-lasting enough for casual work on the go.
